What Now?

Pippa stumbled again and again on the Tiger's slow walk home. All the things that had happened: the scattering of Morgan's clan, the abolishing of the Master of the Lost Position, had all flowed past her like a dream. She had wrapped the shards of her grief in soft blankets of exhaustion, and wanted only to fall into bed.

Frances had a black eye from when she had tussled with a kid twice her size. When Judah had taken her aside and told her about Naomi, she had gone white under her darkening bruises and hadn't said a word. She still wasn't speaking.

At the camp, Pippa did as she had planned: crawled into the shelter and collapsed on the mattress.

"Pippa? Why is there all that blood all over you?" Daisy's face filled Pippa's vision. "I knew you'd be okay. Naomi said you would be. Where is she?"

Pippa stared at her, unable to speak. What was she supposed to say?"

"She's not coming back," she said softly.